Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country • The Next Reel

September 7th, 2017

Episode description

"We will not be the instigators of full scale war on the eve of universal peace!"

Even though “Star Trek: The Next Generation” was entering its fifth season and Star Trek V: The Final Frontier had underperformed, Paramount wanted to bring back the original crew of the Enterprise for one last hurrah to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise. To write and helm the film, they turned to the man who arguably made the best film thus far, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Nicholas Meyer co-wrote it and ended up directing it as well, making a film that stands out as one of the high points of the franchise. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Star Trek series with Meyer’s 1991 film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

We talk about what this film means for the original crew and how it works as their final send-off. We look at the Shakespeare elements, along with other nods to world history, and discuss them in context of this universe – does it make sense for other races to be quoting ancient Earthlings – versus in context of us as viewers of the film. We dig deep into the scene when Spock double mind melds Kim Cattrall’s Valeris, how well that scene works for us and why. We discuss the context of the world at the time Meyer and team wrote and made this film and how well that connection benefits the story. We discuss Cliff Eidelman’s music and why it works so well, even if he largely stays away from the themes already built into the series. And we talk about the fantastic Klingon makeup done throughout the film and why we think it works so well.

It’s a film that stands out as Pete’s favorite of the franchise and one well worth talking about. Definitely check this one out. It’s well worth it. Then tune into the show! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

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